title: Radioimaging of melanoma using 99mTc-labeled Fab fragment reactive with a high molecular weight melanoma antigen.
abstract: Twenty patients with metastatic malignant melanoma were studied with 99mTc-labeled monoclonal antibody (MoAb) Fab fragment (NR-Ml-05) reactive with a high molecular weight (Mr 240,000) melanoma associated antigen. Patients received 40 mg unlabeled irrelevant MoAb (NR-2AD-IgG) and 7.5 mg unlabeled NR-Ml-05 (whole IgG) prior to infusion of 10 mg 99mTc-labeled (10-25 mCi) NR-Ml-05 Fab. Unlabeled MoAb were given to block nonspecific and specific binding sites. Gamma camera scans and single photon emission computed tomography were performed at 8 and 24 h postadministration. Of 172 preexisting lesions, 136 were imaged for a sensitivity of detection of 79%. Imaging was site and size dependent with the greatest sensitivity for liver lesions (100%) and the least for bowel (0%). Six sites (2 skin, 1 lung, 3 liver) were detected by single photon emission computed tomography that were missed on routine planar images. Forty-one additional unconfirmed sites were seen. Of these, 7 (17%) have been confirmed as tumor after a median follow-up time of 6 months. False positive scans included scar tissue, areas of chronic inflammation, an infected femoral aneurysm, and septic emboli. Nonspecific uptake of radioactivity occurred in kidney, gallbladder, bowel, thyroid, and myocardium. Human anti-mouse antibodies were detected in up to 69% of patients. In summary, radioimaging with 99mTc-NR-Ml-05 is a sensitive test, especially for detecting liver lesions. It is safe, simple to administer, and convenient for the patient. Biodistribution and imaging sensitivity differ significantly from studies in which 111In-labeled anti-melanoma MoAb have been used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lamki
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Zukiwski
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Shanken
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Legha
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Benjamin
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Plager
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Salk
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Schroff
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000032:analysis; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D013667:Technetium; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed
chemical_list: D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D013667:Technetium